When Is A Job Not A Job?
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Can't see the 'ShareThis' icon? Reload your page view by pressing Shift and clicking Refresh at the same time.I know that second-hand stories are suspect at the best of times – you know the drill – somebody’s brother’s friend’s girlfriend has it on good authority that… blah, blah, blah. Even so, I feel compelled to pass this one along.
A good friend of a friend of mine graduated from the Chemistry program at the U of R this past April. He has been looking for a job ever since. In some cases others with more experience were hired – understandable – he’s looking for an entry-level position of some sort in his field. In other cases, there has simply been nothing out there in his field of study. Two other friends of this same friend of mine also graduated from Chem at the U of R, and although they are currently working in Calgary – they have been trying to come back home for some time but – you guessed it – no jobs available.
We are looking for 10,000 skilled workers in this province according to all accounts. Now, my question… What does that mean? What is a skilled worker? Is it strictly trades people that are in such demand? Service sector employees?
I usually know someone, who knows someone, that can call someone – when I hear a person is looking for a gig. In this case, I was baffled. I had no idea where a person with a Chemistry degree would look for work in this province – let alone know somebody who actually works at that magical, mystical company.
Is Saskatchewan the Mecca for skilled, educated, young people who want to live here? Or not?
Updating my CV… Dave
Comments
Chemistry Position Possibility
Just a thought, but one place that could be applied at is the Consumers Co-op Refinery in Regina...
Where?
Off the top of my head:
Mosaic
Cameco
SaskFerco
SaskEnergy
Bayer Crop Science
Aventis
Viterra
SaskEnvironment
SaskWater
EnergyGuard
Richardson International
Bioriginal Food and Science
...and I am guessing there are many more.
Most of the places listed
Most of the places listed hire engineers, not chemists.
Sure...
Sure, most hire engineers... most hire chemists as well.
Masters in Microbiology
You're preaching to the choir Dave. I just got my Masters in Microbiology at the UofR and I am having some problems finding a job in Saskatchewan. Looks like I will have to move out of the province despite my desire to stay home. If you are not a tradesperson, an engineer or in IT, nothing is available.
It's the mecca for 20
It's the mecca for 20 something year old men who will be willing to go and work in the oil industry. I'm willing to bet that out of those 10 thousand jobs.. there aren't many for young, educated women.
Sure there is...
For anyone willing to show the initiative and desire to work there is work out there. In the sciences, trades, financial services, etc... you just have to look and be able to market yourself.
It is what it is..
I would think it means Sask needs 10000 skilled workers, not 1 worker in 10000 different skills. I suspect a marine biologist, who would be a skilled worker, would have a tad difficulty in finding work in Sask as well.
good article
Good points, Dave. I have noticed this myself.
I'm in one of the "hot skills" fields, and may be looking for a job upgrade. As good as things are here in Regina, prospects are still a bit thin. There are still some good opportunities (and truthfully, there has been for about 10 years, aside from a few blips).
But the depth and variety isn't quite there yet....and the larger cities still have more to choose from, and that might be true for juniors and seniors.
I suspect that we are in a "youthful boom", sort of like Alberta had in the 1970s. Lots of good-paying jobs, but more concentrated in certain areas (i.e. oil exploration).
Alberta's economy is now somewhat more mature, which may explain why they still have a better variety of white-collar jobs.
But the situation here will probably improve rapidly - but it still is frustrating for people looking right now.
Dave you are right on the
Dave you are right on the money. If Saskatchewan is the Mecca for skilled workers. Then how much hope do I have in Ontario. I too graduated from Chem at the U of R. I spent ~ 2 years looking for work in Saskatchewan befroe moving to Montreal. I was hired within 6 weeks.
I am currently unemployed and living in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario. SAme situation as Saskatchewan.
Go figure?
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